Ukhrul, Oct 12: The All Naga Students’ Association, Manipur (ANSAM) has urged the Manipur government to intervene and reinstate the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) examination centre in Ukhrul district while also calling for the creation of new centres in Chandel, Senapati, and Tamenglong districts.
In a representation submitted to Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel, IAS, ANSAM said the cancellation of the SSC Combined Graduate Level (CGL) and Combined Higher Secondary Level (CHSL) examination centre in Ukhrul, functional from 2018 till 2023, has caused widespread disappointment among hill district aspirants.
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The student body said the decision by the SSC North Eastern Region (NER) office to drop Ukhrul as a centre, despite its proven suitability in terms of infrastructure, law and order, and connectivity, was “unjustified and discriminatory.” It noted that the district administration had already assured the safety and readiness of the centre, citing Ref. No. 7/1/2019-DC/UKL.
ANSAM expressed concern that the ongoing unrest and insecurity in the state have made it unsafe for candidates from the hill districts to travel to valley-based centres. Many, it said, are unable to afford the cost of travel and accommodation, leaving some with no choice but to give up their examinations.
“The exclusion of Ukhrul as an SSC examination centre has imposed unnecessary hardship on aspirants,” the representation stated, adding that the move amounted to a “denial of equal opportunity.”
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The association further demanded the addition of new SSC examination centres in Chandel, Senapati, and Tamenglong districts to ensure equitable access for candidates across the hill regions. It maintained that the absence of centres in these districts was a clear case of geographical neglect that undermines the principle of fairness and equal opportunity.
“The youth of Manipur’s hill districts are industrious and committed to contributing to the nation’s development. Denying them access to examinations is stifling their potential,” ANSAM said.
ANSAM urged the state government to take up the matter with the SSC authorities and ensure that candidates from Ukhrul and other hill districts are not left behind.
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